Aug. 26, 2006

The George Mason women's soccer team will play their first home game of the season on Sunday afternoon when the Patriots host Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m. For both teams there will have been little rest since open their seasons on Friday night.

The Patriots earned a draw at Blacksburg on Friday night, tying Virginia Tech, 1-1. The 110-minute match, coupled with the 250-mile trip, had the Mason players and coaches returning to Fairfax at 2 a.m. Coastal Carolina, which took a 5-1 win over West Georgia in its season opener, will make a seven-hour trip to Fairfax to take on the Patriots.

In Mason, Coastal Carolina will face a tam with a better defense than West Georgia. The Patriots held the Hokies to one goal despite 24 shots and 11 shots on goal. Kasey Davenport was spectacular in goal for the Patriots, saving nine shots, while the rest of Mason's defense was just as strong.

The Patriots got their lone goal in the match's 32nd minute when Rachel Wiggins buried one in the right corner of the net from 25 yards out. The Chanticleers were a lot more productive on offense behind sophomore Blair Monroe and junior Ashleigh Gunning. Monroe scored twice on three shots while Gunning had a goal and an assist. Senior Jaclyn Stoll, meanwhile, stopped four of five shots on goal.

Coastal Carolina (1-0-0) is coming off a 13-6-0 season while the Patriots (0-0-1) are coming off a 8-11-0 campaign. The Chanticleers have not received votes in Soccer Buzz's preseason regional rankings. Mason received votes but is unranked. Coastal Carolina scored 52 goals last year with Monroe leading the charge with 17 goals. Mason scored just 28 times last season with Riggins recording a team-high seven.

The Patriots are 19-5 in home openers and have won their first home game in each of the past four seasons.